Issue 2 - 19 February 2019

Newsletter Articles

VISION STATEMENT

St Rita’s School will be a compassionate and supportive community built on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, specifically incorporating the Mercy Values which are lived out. We will be a values-based community reaching out to and welcoming the wider community. Our strong school spirit will shine. St Rita’s will be a school in which every member is respectful of self and others

PRINCIPAL’S PEN

Dear Parents and Carers,

The St Rita’s Commencement Mass and Commissioning of Student Leaders was celebrated in our parish church on Friday 8th February. During the mass, Father Kerry Crowley blessed the leadership badges and presented them to the 2019 school leaders. Congratulations to Hallie Lansdown, School Captain, and Kylee Hansen, Cooder Postic and Matthew Mellick, Sports Captains. Although five students were elected for leadership roles in November last year, this team of four school leaders has begun the year most enthusiastically. They will participate in a ‘Just Leadership’ workshop with other southern cluster schools next week.

I am happy to report that the term is progressing smoothly at St Rita’s. We have commenced specialist lessons in LOTE and PE, Homework Club, Lego Club during lunch break, private music lessons and tennis coaching since the last newsletter. I appreciate families have after school commitments, so if you were unable to attend the parent information sessions for your class or classes last week, I encourage you to speak with your teacher with any concerns or queries. An informative class letter was distributed at these sessions outlining the term’s learning programs and class events. If you have yet to receive yours, please write a note in your child’s diary soon.

To show your appreciation of the successes of the 2018 P & F Executive Committee, I hope you can join us for the upcoming Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Tuesday 5th March beginning at 3:00pm. At this meeting, highlights of the past year’s work of this group will be acknowledged, and the election of a new Committee will be undertaken. I know many parents are reticent to attend AGMs for fear of “getting a job”, however there will no pressure for you to take on a position if you are unable commit at this stage. We also aim to keep our meetings short and sharp, mostly taking only an hour or so in length.

I strongly believe that parents of St Rita’s appreciate their role in the education of children. You will often see discussions in the media relating to the importance of involvement by parents in schools. Educational research highlights this positive impact: “Good schools make a difference, but parent involvement better predicts a child’s academic performance than the qualities of the school he or she attends.” (Federation of Parents & Friends Associations of Catholic Schools in Queensland, February 2013).

You can be involved at St Rita’s in a variety of ways; attending P & F meetings and information sessions, participating in workshops, joining us for special whole school events and school assemblies, filling the role of Tuckshop Coordinator and helping in the classrooms. In the coming weeks, Mrs Masina will be asking for any parents to assist with reading with the Prep Year 1 students in the morning. Being involved really is an enjoyable and rewarding experience for parents, and much appreciated by the whole school community. Get involved in YOUR school!

You may have noticed that we have been burning mosquito coils on the school verandahs in the past fortnight. To cope with the invasion of these pesty little creatures, Debbie acquired permission to use coils from the CES WH & S Manager, Mr David Kemp. Even though most children apply insect repellant before coming to school, we also encourage named insect repellant, in a tube or roll on, to be brought along in school bags for reapplication at the lunch break. For safety reasons, please note that aerosol spray cans are not permitted to be used by students in schools.

Have a good week!

Regards & blessings,
Judy Billiau

HOMEWORK CLUB

Homework is a valuable part of the learning process for every child. It is designed to give students opportunity for further practise of skills taught in class, to share learning with parents, as well as to investigate interests and topics being studied.

Each week, classroom teachers distribute Homework task sheets, which should be completed and returned to school on Friday. Homework also includes daily reading, and all students have a reading log of books they have read during the week. If at any time Homework becomes stressful or the cause of conflict, parents are encouraged to make an appointment with the class teacher to work through a solution.

To assist our students with Homework tasks, a Homework Club is offered by St Rita’s every Monday after school, beginning at 3:00pm. Classroom teachers generously give up their time to support individual students in this way. I urge you to take advantage of Homework Club if your child needs assistance in completing this weekly activity.

Judy Billiau
Principal

APRE THOUGHTS

Dear Parents and Carers,

COMMENCEMENT MASS THANK YOU

Our 2019 St Rita’s Commencement Mass was a happy Eucharistic celebration, attended by staff, students, family members and parishioners last week. Father Kerry Crowley officiated at the ceremony, commissioning our elected school leaders: Hallie, Matthew, Cooder and Kylee. Based on the Scripture reading from Colossians (3:23-26a), Father Kerry spoke of the importance of creating a strong community based on the qualities that are the fabric of a Christian life:

“You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Be tolerant with one another and forgive another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity. The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful. Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts.”

At St Rita’s we aim to build a loving, faith-filled community, inspired by the example of Jesus, our Patron Saint Rita and the founding order of the Mercy Sisters. Together, we all have a part to play. We pray that we may be clothed in the virtues of: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, forgiveness and love, as we continue to grow our Christian community. Sincere thanks to those of you who were able to attend our first whole school mass and join us in our celebration.

CARITAS JUST LEADERSHIP

Caritas Australia, through Project Compassion 2019, provides workshops to primary and secondary school students within the Cairns Diocese to engage students in building a better, more just world. This year, the students from Years 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to attend Caritas ‘Just Leadership Day’, accompanied by Mrs Vicki Jago.

The program aims to develop an awareness of global social justice issues, and encourages individuals to be a voice for those in need and to take action! Guided by the motto of “Aspire not to have more, but to BE more”, students will explore what constitutes good leadership through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching, and learn to recognise that they have the resources, the power and the responsibility to work for change!

The event this year is to be held at St Rita’s School in South Johnstone on Tuesday 26th February. Permission slips will be forwarded to parents over the coming days.

Blessings,
Maureen Gaul
Assistant Principal (Religious Education)

CASTING THE NET

Growing up, constantly

Settling down isn’t a Christian image. Even if you live in the town in which you were born or the house your parents owned or hold the same job since leaving school, you are meant to move on, grow up, change. Not change for change’s sake but change for your own sake – we are meant to grow up to heaven. Imagine your best ideal self, multiply it and you will have some vague image of the fullness of life that God wants for us.

Just like trying to lose weight, get fit, we do not drift into our best self. We have to work on it. So each year the Church gives us Lent - six weeks to stop, take stock and then work out a plan to become a better Christian, a more loving human being. Six weeks – that is about one eighth of the year – long enough to set down good habits, but not too long to tire us.

So go back to your image of your best self and stop for a little while in prayer. Ask God what you together could work on so that by the time Easter comes you are a few steps forward on your pilgrimage through life.

Loving God, you want the best for me. Let me stop this Lent, listen to your Spirit in my heart and then do what I can to bring about the change you desire for me. I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

CURRICULUM CORNER

THE AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM
An overview for parents

My child and the Australian Curriculum

The Australian Curriculum is designed to teach students what it takes to be confident and creative individuals and become active and informed citizens. It sets the goal for what all students should learn as they progress through their school life – wherever they live in Australia and whatever school they attend.

What are the learning areas of the Australian Curriculum?

From the first year of schooling to Year 10, students develop knowledge and skills in eight learning areas:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Health and Physical Education (HPE)
• Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)
• The Arts
• Technologies
• Languages

From Foundation to Year 10

In the early years, priority is given to literacy and numeracy development as the foundations for further learning. As students make their way through the primary years, they focus more on the knowledge, understanding and skills of all eight learning areas.

In secondary schooling, students are taught by specialist teachers. Towards Year 10, the curriculum in designed so students develop skills for civic, social and economic participation. Students also have opportunities to make choices about their learning and to specialise in areas of interest.

The curriculum assists students to consider pathways for study in senior secondary schooling from a range of academic and vocational options.

AROUND THE CLASSROOMS

Starting Prep

Eager St Rita Prep students filed through the gates looking very smart in their new school uniforms on the first day of school. Quick goodbyes to Mum and Dad, they were off to check out their Prep classroom or out onto the new playground chatting and playing, forming new friendships. It was a very settled and positive beginning to their school year as many students attended the ‘Get Set for Prep’ Transition Program last year. There were lots of holiday paintings and stories shared, and puzzles and gingerbread-scented playdough that the children could experience. They also had a visit from a cheeky Gingerbread Man who jumped off the page and led them on a wild chase around the school. Only to leave them some treats hidden under a cushion in the classroom!

What we like most about Prep:

“I like to play with the trucks in the playground with my cousin Timothy”, said Izaac.
“I’m really good at the hula hoops” said Maddisyn.
“Playing animals with Joseph is lots of fun!” said Leo.
“I like sticking the letter magnets together,” said Joseph.
“I enjoy using the sparkly glitter paints and colouring with the texts and crayons,” said Emily.
“Reading new books and learning about letters is interesting,” said Robert.

Maryjane Masina
Prep/Year 1 teacher

SCHOOL COUNSELLOR

Getting school mornings under control

The hot, sticky weather has reached its sweaty peak and any excitement your children had about starting or returning to school has died down as the monotony of the school day routine kicks in.

In too many homes (including my own!), the average school day morning can best be described as chaos. Parents shouting, homework missing, school uniforms suddenly hiding and a hundred other calamities that add stress to the morning and too often mean rushing to make school on time. While there’s no way to guarantee that bedlam will suddenly turn into calm, peaceful, well-organized mornings, there are ways to help reduce that school-morning frustration, stress and anger.

Start by letting the kids know you’re not happy with how you’re acting, rather than blaming it all on them. Tell them you want to change and get them involved by letting them see that you need their help to end early morning battles. Then give your children more time responsibility. For younger ones, with little concept of time, try a kitchen timer to help them finish breakfast and get dressed in a timely manner or a visual aide that shows what task they need to complete to be ready for the day.

Some general changes can also speed things up. Turn off that morning TV. Whatever the show, it only slows things down. Instead, try background music, which actually helps some kids focus better. Get things more organised. Give the kids a designated place for backpacks and books, and make sure they’re in place before bedtime. Having kids lay out the next day’s school uniform before bed avoids morning panic over that missing shirt or shorts. Make sure hats, socks and shoes are also ready for the a.m.

Even with a good system, some mornings will still be a circus. But help your kids take part in getting organised and you’ll make most mornings more enjoyable, as well as give them skills that can help throughout life.

I have a visual aide that I use in my own household that gives my children a sense of achievement when they are able to tick off each required task – and having competitive children they often complete their tasks in record time to be the first person to get their “great job” stamp. I am happy to provide you a copy of this visual aide if you think it may be useful – just give me a call or pop me an email and I’ll leave a copy for you with Deb in the office.

Take care.

Larissa Juniper,
School Counsellor

LIBRARY LINKS

This term we will be unveiling some new and exciting books. Our Term 1 library display will focus largely on the amazing Harry Potter series, much loved and avidly read by children the world over. We all hope our children will develop wonderful imaginations and learn to look for the good in the world, even while sometimes having to deal with the not so good. This incredible collection of stories not only engages the imagination, it also teaches some vital lessons along the way:

Harry Potter gently shows us the importance of inclusion. Each character, wizard, goblin and giant is unique and each has special gifts to offer, just like each of us.

Things in life are not always fair; the story doesn’t always end exactly how you want it to. Defeat is sometimes part of life and that’s okay. We learn to be resilient, get up and have another go!

Readers of Harry Potter learn not to be so quick to judge others. The only way you can really know someone, is to take the time needed to get to know them.

Harry Potter characters learn early on to work well with others; we are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with.

According to The New York Times, researchers in Italy found reading Harry Potter isn’t just a whole lot of fun, it also helps kids become more tolerant. Children learn about empathy and tolerance by getting to know people who are very different to them. Books break down stereotypes. A well-told story sparks your emotions and opens your inner senses (www.babble.com).

As a librarian, I adore the Harry Potter books. I shared them with my own children and they read them voraciously. The stories reach children on so many levels, while also being a rollicking good read.

We will offer the Harry Potter series to our senior class initially, but if any parents of younger aged children would like their child to be able to access the books, please let me know or alternately phone the school office.

Happy Reading!

Lisa Calcagno,
Library Assistant

LIBRARY NEWS

Farewell to Teacher Librarian Michelle Van Dugteren

We are very sad to let you know that Michelle Van Dugteren has resigned from her position as Teacher Librarian for the schools of St Rita's Babinda, St John's Silkwood and St Clare's Tully. Family circumstances have changed for Michelle and she is no longer able to continue in this role.

In farewelling and wishing Michelle well, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Michelle for her work in this position. Michelle's gentle and humble approach with students and teachers has endeared her to the 3 schools she has worked with, over the past few years. Michelle is a highly regarded practitioner, and even though her role has been very part-time in each of her schools, her enabling support and skills have been very much appreciated. Michelle's thoughtful contributions too, will be very much missed by our Teacher Librarian Network.

On behalf of our schools and the TL Network, we wish Michelle all the best. We hope that she will find her way back to Catholic Education sometime again in the near future.

Fran Hughes,
Resource & Information Services Manager
Catholic Education Services – Diocese of Cairns

DATE CLAIMERS

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

St Rita’s School congratulates those students who were awarded ‘Student of the Week’ at Assembly on Friday 14th February 2019.

BIRTHDAY CONGRATULATIONS

St Rita’s wishes Jack Clarke, Cooder Postic and Hayley Geary all the very best for their recent birthdays. We hope you had wonderful birthday celebrations. Congratulations Jack, Cooder and Hayley!

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

COMMUNITY NEWS

TRINITY COAST SOUTH AFL

TCS RUGBY LEAGUE TRIALS

CAIRNS DIOCESAN P&F COUNCIL – FATHERS & DAUGHTERS evening